Imtiaz Ahmed

Imtiaz Ahmed was born in Pakistan and joined the Army after completing his college education. After training at the Military Academy, he was commissioned in the Corps of Engineers in 1974.

Ahmed is trained both as a civil and combat engineer. Obtaining a BSc in engineering with distinction from the National University of Sciences and Technology, he later graduated with honors from the Pakistan Army's Command and Staff College with a BSc in war studies. In 1990, after being sent to the United States by the Army, he obtained his MS in civil engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Ahmed joined the Purdue community later that year, earning a PhD in 1993. He cherishes his association with Professor C.W. Lovell, his former advisor, and recalls that working under Lovell was a unique and highly rewarding experience. Under Lovell's guidance, he authored many technical publications, including Use of Waste Materials in Highway Construction, an established book on the subject.

Ahmed believes that his unflinching faith in God, his grooming in the military, and the expertise he acquired at Purdue led to his rise to major general in 2005. This prestigious rank has allowed him to contribute significantly to the development of Pakistan's civil infrastructure. Among other projects throughout his career, he has overseen the linking of remote areas across desert, mountain ranges, and glaciated terrain by roads, tunnels, and railways.

As the director general engineers with the Pakistan Army, Ahmed coordinated relief efforts in the aftermath of the massive 2005 earthquake that took nearly 70,000 lives. As chairman of the National Highway Authority, he oversaw the development and management of the national highways and motorways system, including implementation of the multi-billion dollar National Trade Corridor Program.

Ahmed is currently director general of National Logistic Cell, a crisis management arm of the federal government. The multifaceted organization undertakes infrastructure development, provision of freight services, and management of strategic dry ports.

Ahmed has enjoyed distinction in both his academic and professional careers. He was selected to attend the National Defence Course and has been awarded a masters degree in defence and strategic studies. He has been awarded several medals by the president of Pakistan, including Sitara-i-Esar, the highest award given in recognition for service to humanity, and Hilal-i-Imtiaz, for his overall meritorious service.

Ahmed's family includes his wife, Musarrat; his daughter, Aisha; and his three sons, Saad, Hammad, and Jawwad.